Walter C. Alford, 83, Bristol, Tenn.
Bristol, Tenn. - Walter Cecil Alford, 83, 1221 Sugar Hollow Drive, died Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) in Wellmont Hospice House.
A native of Sullivan County, he was the son of the late James and Mary Blevins Alford.
He had a great love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing and working with his hands. He was proprietor of Alford Builders, a farmer, and, during World War II, worked in Glen L. Martin Aircraft factory.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Boughers Alford; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Jerry Morrell, Kingsport, Charlotte and Billy Joe James, Janet and Carl Rhymer, both of Bristol, Tenn., Devone and Randy Campbell, Bristol, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, James Eugene and Joyce Alford, Bristol, Tenn.; heart recipient daughter, Sharon Menier, Cuyahaga Fall, Okla.; special nephew, Dwight Boyd, Bristol, Tenn.; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Etta Alford, Bristol, Tenn.; also 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Weaver Funeral Home in Bristol, Tenn.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel.
Rhea T. Arnold, 81, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Rhea Thomas Arnold, 81, of 204 Thomas St., passed away Wednesday (Oct. 31, 2001) at his home after a period of declining health.
Rhea was born Nov. 2, 1919 in Scott County, Va., a son of the late L.D. and Trula Bradshaw Arnold. He was retired from Penn-Dixie after 38 years of service.
He was a proud veteran serving his country during World War II with the U.S. Army.
He was a former member of the VFW and the American Legion, a present member of the Odd Fellows of Gate City, an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. He loved and enjoyed his wonderful grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife in 1987, Jeanette Price Arnold; a granddaughter, Sarah Rae Pafford in 1998.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Mrs. Don (Pat) Pafford and Mrs. Mike S. (Delphia) Richards, all of Kingsport; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tommy Rhea Arnold and wife Barbara, Kingsport, and Greg Arnold and wife Sue, Clinchport, Va.; grandchildren, James Matthew Pafford, Jason Andrew Pafford and Michael Steven Richards II; a sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. Billy H. (Lucille) Bishop, Gate City, Va.; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Ben (Curt) Arnold and wife Jane, L.G. (Buck) Arnold, and Emory Arnold and wife Julie, all of Gate City, Va.; several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at East Lawn Funeral Home and anytime at the residence.
Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Robert Parker Jr. and the Rev. Paul Blessing officiating.
Burial will follow in th East Lawn Memorial Park in the Garden of the Mausoleum with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Hammond Post No. 3.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Georgia Begley, Sneedville.
SNEEDVILLE - Graveside services for Georgia Begley, who entered into rest Sunday (Oct. 28, 2001), will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. today in the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family will be meeting at the cemetery for the graveside services.
If you would like to make online condolences, please e-mail to gcfh@mounet.com
Gate City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Fannie Blankenship, 98, Gate City, Va.
GATE CITY, Va. - Services for Fannie A. Blankenship, 98, who entered into rest Wednesday (Oct. 31, 2001), will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Gate City United Methodist Church, Gate City, Va., with the Rev. Jim Harless and the Rev. Dale Wyrick officiating.
Music will be provided by the church choir.
Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the church.
Burial will follow the service at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church Organ Fund.
If anyone would like to make online condolences, please e-mail us at gcfh@mounet.com
Gate City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Juanita Bostic, 77, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Graveside services for Juanita Bostic, 77, who passed away Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001), will be at 11 a.m. today at the Tri-Cities Memory Gardens with the Rev. David Salley officiating.
The family will receive friends anytime at the residence after the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wellmont's Hospice House, 280 Steele Road, Bristol, Tenn. 37621.
East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
W. Ray Burke, 68, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Willie Ray Burke, 68, died Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Russell County, Va., and moved to Kingsport at an early age. He was a member of the Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 and a member of Horse Creek Freewill Baptist Church and attended various churches.
He retired from Eastman Chemical in 1993 after over 35 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Wolfe Burke; one brother, Dwight Burke; and two half brothers, Ralph Burke and Bruce Burke.
Surviving are his loving wife of 46 years, Reta Pratt Burke, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Vanessa Howard and Mike Howard and Teresa (Bear) Hicks and Kenny Hicks, all of Kingsport; three sisters, Jean Wright, Bristol, Tenn., Louise Hartsock, Bassett, Va., and Kilene Nixon, Weber City, Va.; half sister, Virginia Porter, Castlewood, Va.; four brothers, Joe Burke, Bristol, Va., David Burke, Gate City, Va., Kent Lee Burke, Kingsport, and Gaines Burke, Bristol, Tenn.; a special nephew who was like a brother, Paul Burke, Kingsport; three grandchildren, Amanda Howard, Adam Bear and Shannon Howard; precious great-grandson, Matthew Howard; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport.
Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. J.R. Pratt, the Rev. Guy Hartsock and Evangelist Pat Hammonds officiating. Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 will have a service at 7 p.m.
Special music by Elijah Woods.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at East Lawn Memorial Park. Family and friends attending graveside services will meet at the graveside at 1:55 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Don Harris, Ronald Hartsock, Harold Patton, Paul Burke, Freddy Baker and Lester Pearson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Tipton, Lawrence Honaker, Gene Bellamy, George Childress, Tim Malone, Steve Honaker, Harold Porter, Charles Salyer, Bobby Paul Porter and Tony Rutledge.
Adeline Caudell, 79, Kingsport.
Graveside services for Adeline Byington Caudell, 79, of Kingsport, who passed away Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001), will be held at 11 a.m. today at Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood, Va.
Pallbearers will be deacons of Lynn Garden Baptist Church.
Honorary pallbearers will be ladies of the Dorcas Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to Lynn Garden Baptist Church (building fund), 301 May Ave., Kingsport, Tenn. 37665.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Combs, 60, Lebanon, Va.
LEBANON, Va. - Harold Dello Combs, 60, of the Copper Creek Apartments, died recently at his home.
Born in Russell County, Va., he was the son of the late Howard and Hazel Cook Combs. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a disabled painter.
Surviving are two daughters, Katy Meadows and Caroletta Smith, both of Ohio; one stepdaughter, Amy Trivett, Bristol; one stepgrandson, Isaac Trivett, Ohio; five grandchildren; three sisters, Maralee Elswick and Francis Hicks, both of Manassas, Va., and Linda Dotson, Abingdon, Va.; eight brothers, Walter Combs, Galax, Va., Lewis Combs, Newport News, Va., Roy Leon Combs, Castlewood, Va., James Buster Combs, Powhatan, Va., Arlen Combs, Willie Combs and Truman Combs, all of Manassas, Va., and Randall Combs, Lebanon, Va.; a special niece, Teresa White, Bristol; a special friend, Betty Mosier, Bristol; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today in the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, Va., with the Rev. Virgil Musick officiating.
Those wishing to go in procession to the cemetery are requested to be at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. today.
Combs Funeral Service, Lebanon, Va., is serving the Combs family.
Evelyn Courtney, 76, Rogersville.
ROGERSVILLE - Graveside services for Mrs. Evelyn Early Courtney, 76, 308 W. Broadway, who passed away Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001), will be conducted at 11 a.m. today at Highland Cemetery.
Colboch-Price Funeral Home, Rogersville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth Eaton, 61, Hephzibah, Ga.
HEPHZIBAH, Ga. - Kenneth Virgil Eaton, 61, entered into rest Monday (Oct. 29, 2001).
Mr. Eaton was a native of Hawkins County. He was a retired Army veteran with 24 years of active service with tours of duty in Vietnam, Korea, France and Germany. He also was a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service for 15 years.
He was a Mason and a Shriner with the Crescent Temple in Trenton, N.J.
He was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Eaton in 1983.
He was the husband of Mrs. Glenna Jean McKenzie Eaton. Other family members include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sheri Rene and Steve Jajo, Kaleva, Mi., and Gwendolyn Sue (Wendy) and Rick Simmons, Quantico, Va.; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael Steven and Carolyn Eaton, Atlanta, Ga.; his mother, Pearl Eaton, Kingsport; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Nell Rose Flanary, Kingsport, Judy Coomer, Lafayette, La., and Janie Kennedy, Kingsport; one brother, C.D. Eaton, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today in the Poteet Funeral Home South Chapel, Augusta, Ga., with Chaplain Maj. Michael D. Riddle officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport, under the direction of Oak Hill Funeral Home, 800 Truxton Drive, Kingsport.
Contributions may be made to the Safe Homes of Augusta or to the Salvation Army.
Betty Jo Edmondson, 73, Kingsport.
Services for Betty Jo Doggett Edmondson, 73, of Kingsport, who went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning (Oct. 31, 2001), will be conducted at 7 p.m. today at Bethel Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Gary R. Bement officiating.
Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the church.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 1593 Warpath Drive, Kingsport, Tenn. 37664.
Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown, is serving the Edmondson family.
Mack A. Edwards, 75, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Mack A. Edwards, 75, died Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at Brookhaven Health Care.
He was born in Scott County, Va., and had lived in Kingsport most of his life. He was of the Methodist faith and was a retired home builder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Will Edwards and Eliza Tipton Edwards; and several brothers and sisters.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at East Lawn Memorial Park with Troy Alley officiating.
Family and friends wishing to attend the graveside service will meet at the cemetery at 1:55 p.m.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home of Kingsport is in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Hall Sr., 56, Big Stone Gap, Va.
BIG STONE GAP, Va. - Bobby Layton Hall Sr., 56, passed away Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at his home.
He was born Aug. 10, 1945 in Sussex, N.J. He lived most of his life in Big Stone Gap. He worked for Pac-Mor in Duffield, Va. He also worked for Westmoreland Coal Co. for eight years and spent 14 years in non-union mines.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1969 to 1975, serving in Vietnam, two years in Germany and the rest stateside.
He was of the Baptist faith. He is resting in God's loving arms.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Henry Hall; his mother, Reva Hall; and one brother, Martin "Little Buddy" Howard Hall.
Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Elsie V. Dean Hall; eight children, David Hall of Ohio, Renea Hall of Ohio, Elsie Kay and David Spears of Big Stone Gap, Sue Ann and Wayne Long of Exeter, Va., Bobby Layton Hall Jr. and Tracey Herron of Lee County, Va., Wanda Jean Hall and Michael Deaton of Exeter, Va., James Edward Hall of Duffield, Va., and Donna Michelle Hall of the home; five sisters, Loraine Hunter of Albany, Ga., Ruth Davis of Cresswood, Ky., Betty Sturgill of Tazewell, Tenn., Wanda Davis of Big Stone Gap, and Virginia Botts of Bristol, Va.; two brothers, Jay Hall and Ed Hall, both of Albany, Ga.; 14 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Greg Townsend officiating.
Military graveside rites, by Col. C.H. Hagy, Chapter No. 45, D.A.V., will follow in the Jones Family Cemetery in the Seminary community.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Hall, James Hall, Jon Frickie, David Spears, Allen Hubbard, Randall Hubbard, Marty Head and Allen Davis.
N. Marie Harless, 80, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - N. Marie Harless, 80, went to be with the Lord Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001).
She was born in North Carolina and had lived most of her life in Kingsport.
She was of the Baptist faith, loved gardening and enjoyed cooking and canning for her family. Her specialty was making apple pies. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Harless; a daughter, Robin Harless; her parents; two brothers; and one sister.
Surviving are a daughter, Shirley Harless Donihe; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Katherine Guinn, Kingsport; a brother, Arvil Griffith, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Oak Hill Funeral Home.
Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. today in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Joe Goad officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery.
The family will meet at the graveside.
An on-line guest book may be signed at www.legacy.com
William Harr, 53, Blountville.
BLOUNTVILLE - William K. "Bud" Harr, 53, went to be with the Lord Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001) in Tampa, Fla., after a brief illness.
He was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County, and was a retired lieutenant with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department with 25 years of service.
He was a member of the Eastern Star No. 162 of Bristol.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Jean C. Harr; son and daughter-in-law, Ken and April Harr; two special grandchildren, Trey and Taylor Harr, all of Bluff City; parents, Eva and Bill Harr, Bristol, Tenn.; sisters, Ann Arnold, Bristol, Tenn., and Nancy Harrington, Clark Summit, Pa.; several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are from 6 to 7:45 p.m. today in the Weaver Funeral Home, Bristol, Tenn.
Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Eddie Zimmerman and the Rev. Johnny Mink officiating.
The committal services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harr Family Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dee Musser, Keith Elton, Sam Anderson, Landon Bellamy, Donnie Sammons, Jerry Cunningham and members of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department.
Dr. Robert Hodge, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Dr. Robert Hodge, 2229 Swannanoa Avenue, died at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 31, 2001) after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was a lifelong resident of Kingsport and served as a Captain of the U.S. Air Force for two years.
Dr. Hodge was a dentist in Kingsport for over 40 years serving thousands of patients in the community.
He was a member of Oakwood Forest Christian Church where he served on the board of deacons and elders.
Dr. Hodge was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport and was very active in community affairs for many years.
His parents, Dr. Vernon Hodge and Joyce Hodge; and his sister, Mildred Johnson, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Joanne Hurd Hodge, Kingsport; three sons, Judge Steven H. Jones and wife, Virginia, Thomas Scott Jones and Rob Hodge, all of Kingsport; and seven grandchildren, Brad, Jason, Wesley Jones; Linly, Brandy, Kylie and Melinda.
Calling hours were from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown.
Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Hugh Thompson and Ed Clevinger, Ministers officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. today in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Wanda Grills, 1217 Radcliffe Avenue, Kingsport, Tenn. 37664 or Oakwood Forest Christian Church, 1713 E. Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37664.
Jody Johnson, 27, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Jody Wynona Johnson, 27, 122 E. Sevier St., found her peace Wednesday (Oct. 31, 2001).
Born in Lakeland, Fla., Jody moved to Kingsport with her family in 1980 and attended Dobyns-Bennett High School and Barton's School of Cosmetology.
Jody is survived by her parents, Randy and Kim Wyatt; her natural father, Wesley Johnson, Florida; her brothers, Frank Hayes, Gate City, Va., Ben, Michael, Kasey Wyatt and Jonah Wyatt Onkotz, of the home. She is also survived by her sisters, Wendy Pemble, Joliet, Ill., and Kirsten Elizabeth Wyatt, of the home; her maternal grandparents, Bob and Wynona Francisco, Lakeland, Fla., and paternal grandmother, Francis Knight, Polk City, Fla; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Tennessee and Florida also survive the "Perfect Rose."
Arrangements were made by Jody prior to her death that no memorial service be held. Her friends are invited to celebrate her life at her parent's home at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Jody's name to the Disaster Relief Fund, Date of Loss: September 11, 2001, New York, N.Y. or the Children of Afghanistan, c/o The President of the United States, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. 20002.
Gate City Funeral Home is in charge.
Gary Ledbetter, 57, Moultrie, Ga.
MOULTRIE, Ga. - Graveside services for Gary Benjamin Ledbetter, 57, who passed away Sunday (Oct. 28, 2001), will be conducted at 11 a.m. today at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Sullivan Baptist Church building fund, 4152 Maplewood St., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660, or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 985, Kingsport, Tenn. 37662.
Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is in charge of the arrangements.
Linda Sage, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Linda Sage died Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at Holston Valley Medical Center.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Oak Hill Funeral Home.
Luther Sluss, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Luther Sluss, formerly of Dungannon, Va., entered into rest Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at the Wexford House.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Gate City Funeral Home.
L. Ray Smith Sr., 78, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - L. Ray Smith Sr., 78, of 1617 Osage Drive, died at 12 noon Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at the James H. Quillen V.A. Medical Center in Johnson City after an extended illness.
A lifelong resident of Kingsport, he graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and attended Tusculum College. Mr. Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II.
He was of the Presbyterian faith.
His father, Elbert Barker Smith; and mother, Mollie Frazier Smith, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Duncan Smith, Kingsport; two sons and daughters-in-law, L. Ray Jr. and Glenda Smith, Elbert Duncan and Karen Smith, all of Kingsport; a brother, Cecil Barker Smith, Johnson City; and a niece, Jackie Smith Hale, Kingsport.
Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday in the Mountain Home National Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion Hammond Post No. 3.
Eddie Surrett, 56, Appalachia, Va.
APPALACHIA, Va. - A memorial service for Eddie (Paul) Surrett, 56, who passed away Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001), will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Apostolic Church of God on Callahan Avenue, Appalachia, with the Rev. Johnny Flanary officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, is in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Tittsworth, 84, Gate City, Va.
GATE CITY, Va. - Services for Hazel Pratt Tittsworth, 84, who entered into eternal rest Wednesday (Oct. 31, 2001), will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of Gate City Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Copeland and the Rev. Don Large officiating.
Music will be provided by Kathryn Haynes and Martha June McGee.
Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va.
The family will be meeting at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Mrs. Tittsworth to the Prospect United Methodist Church, Rt. 7, Box 1304, Gate City, Va. 24251.
Vance Tittsworth, Lloyd Grimm, Gary Pratt, Tommy Pratt, Johnny Haynes and Ivan Taylor will serve as pallbearers.
Bill Bledsoe, Phil Taylor, Jimmy Tittsworth, James McGee, Roy McGee, Burl Jones, Jimmy Haynes and Glen Winegar will serve as honorary pallbearers.
